Bali is situated close to the equator (only 8 degrees south of the equator) and therefore has a tropical climate. This means it has an even year round temperature (hot), and a definite wet and dry season. The two seasons are hot and dry, and hot and can be wet ! Bali is close enough to the moderating effect of the equator to miss out on typhoons, tornadoes, and tropical cyclones.

Temperature

The average temperature varies little over the whole year and is around 30 degrees C (mid 80s degree F). It can get hotter on the coast and the lowlands, but the sea breezes tend to keep the temperature pleasant. The temperature can drop by about 8 degrees (14.4 degrees F) at night on the coast. The higher altitude of the hills and mountains of the inland areas keeps the temperature about 5 degrees C (9 degrees F) lower than the coast during the day, and the temperature in the highlands can drop a lot in the early morning hours ! Bring something warm to wear when visiting or overnighting in the highlands or central region. The temperature of the sea is a constant 28 degrees C (74 degrees F), much warmer than the oceans and seas of those countries in the temperate climates.

Rainfall

The dry season is from April to October, and the rainy season (monsoon) is from November to March. The rainy season begins in November when high winds from the south pick up moisture. The wettest months are December and January, with the rainfall being about 326 mm (13inchs). The rain normally falls around noon and can last for 2-3 hours. Rarely does it last a whole day. It is very heavy and intense and falls like a curtain, leaving a lot of water on the ground. Everything stops happening when it rains. Then it quickly finishes, and life carries on again. Several days of this pattern can be followed by a week with no rain. You also need to note that the dates for the beginning and end of the rainy season are flexible, and that heavy showers can even occur during the dry season.

If you visit during the rainy season, bring your light rain jacket or umbrella. With rain of course comes humidity, and this can sometimes be as high as 85% (it can get very humid here). In March, the wind shifts direction and brings in drier and cooler weather from the north, heralding the beginning of the dry season.

The sunniest days are the ones with no clouds, and this of course corresponds with the dry season. Between April to October, Bali has on average almost 7 - 7.5 hours of sunshine per day. Because Bali is close to the equator, the sun sets and rises around about the same time each day.

So When Is the Ideal Time to visit ?

Bali is a great place to visit anytime. Some visitors prefer to come outside of the rainy season, from April to October, because it is less humid and sunnier. However if the humidity is not a real issue for you, than you should consider coming anytime that suits you. What is more important to consider here are the tourist seasons in Bali. These are not based on the weather in Bali, but on the traditional business and school holiday periods in the northern and southern hemispheres, when most people go on holiday and vacation.

Most accommodation venues in Bali consider the months of July to September, Chinese New Year (in early February) and Easter to be High Season. Peak season is considered to be the period over Christmas and New Year. Low season is everything else. These dates determine accommodation availability and holiday prices. Be warned, it is not called peak and high season for nothing - peak and high season accommodation venues can be booked out up to a year in advance.